Mass Transit Scanner Projects Dropped After Testing

As if newer body scanners in airports weren't controversial enough, reports are now surfacing that The Department of Homeland security has been working to develop similar "covert" scanners for use in train stations, bus depots, and at major event venues.

ABC News reports that the department signed contracts in 2005 and 2006 for the development of technology that would be able to detect explosive materials underneath the clothing of persons in a moving crowd. Bobby Whithorne, a spokesperson for Homeland Security, says that the projects have long since been dropped after an early testing phase showed flaws.

The 2005 contract was with Rapiscan Systems, the same company that makes airport body scanners. Although Rapiscan delivered a prototype that could scan people while they were moving, Whithorne said that project was dropped after lab tests. No specific reasons have been given.

Another $1.3 million contract with Northeastern University in 2006 sought technology that could "monitor and track individuals in a crowd." Researchers at the university studied video cameras and imaging equipment similar to body scanners, which could spot specific people at a distance. Whithorne says that this project was dropped before a prototype was developed.

Although both of these projects have been dropped, many are concerned that such technology has been developed and publicly tested. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), a privacy advocacy group, says that the projects are "disturbing" and they are suing Homeland Security for the "unacceptable" level of surveillance.

EPIC was able to obtain a copy of contracts and reports through the Freedom of Information Act. A full copy can be found here.

Source: ABC News